HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (EMPLOYEE BENEFITS)

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. GS-11 The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior subject matter expert of civilian employee benefits and retirement programs with responsibility for providing the most complex administration, advisory services and counseling on employee benefits and entitlements in a regionalized environment for 145,000 Air Force-serviced civilian employees world-wide.

Duties

Summary Continued GS-05/07/09 The primary purpose of this position is to serve in a developmental position with known promotion potential to the target position of 9PR21278 (Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits), GS-0201-11). Duties Serves as a senior employee benefits specialist who is the subject matter expert responsible for resolving technically complex/difficult, sensitive and volatile problems/issues in all aspects of retirement benefits and coverages that require substantial knowledge of Federal insurance laws, regulations, and procedures. Researches applicable laws, executive orders, regulations, and policies to make final determinations on complex retirements and death cases involving obscure special entitlement matters. As a subject matter expert; exercises extensive knowledge, skill and application of employee benefits principles and evaluative methods sufficient to advise on and/or resolve incoming calls/inquiries that are technically complex/difficult, sensitive and volatile in nature. Serves as a senior employee benefits specialist who is a subject matter expert responsible for providing sound, accurate and thorough benefits and entitlements counseling. Participates in special projects/initiatives and performs special assignments affecting the benefits program. Prepares and completes necessary correspondence, documentation, reports, etc.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, 0201 Series. (GS-05) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-04, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes ability to effectively communicate information clearly, orally and in writing; gather and analyze basic facts and draw conclusions; and to learn the operation of automated data systems. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. (GS-07) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the basic principles, concepts, and methodology used in employee benefits and skill in applying basic principles, concepts, and practices of the occupation sufficient to perform moderately difficult assignments. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of one full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Human Resources. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. (GS-09) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the principles, concepts, and theories of Employee Benefits, and the standard practices, methods, and techniques of the occupation sufficient to perform difficult, but well-precedented assignments; knowledge of analysis, evaluation, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend a solution from a number of possible alternatives; and knowledge of the occupation to perform studies and prepare reports, documentation, and correspondence to communicate factual and procedural information clearly. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D., [if related] in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Human Resources Management. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. (GS-11) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of, and skill in applying health insurance, life insurance, retirement, Thrift Savings Plan, and death-in-service laws, regulation, procedures, and counseling techniques provided in a regionalized environment using state-of-the-art technology and reengineered business processes. Actions cover the whole spectrum of these benefits such as responding to complex benefits questions; providing information necessary to help employees obtain maximum gains from available benefits; deciding obscure special entitlement matters; and providing individual employee counseling on retirement options, eligibility requirements, health and life insurance and Thrift Savings Plan issues. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as Human Resources Management. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-07 level. One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: A sound theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of federal personnel management functions, theories, techniques, and the relations of the various personnel disciplines; as well as knowledge of the Directorate objectives, mission, and operating programs and the implications of such on Air Force civilian person